To ask how you've reached a high salary? 50k+

[Redvelvetdreams1]

I'm on 29.5k which is the most I've ever earned in my life, and I'm 34. I have a degree and a PGCE but here we are.
I'm never going to be a millionaire, but I just don't feel like I'll ever know what it's like to be well off. I live alone too but fortunately only have myself to support.

I'm an EO in the Civil service, which i hate. I'm not trying to be rich, but I'd just love to have a comfortable salary and be able to save comfortably, go on proper holidays and not just a £19.99 ryanair flight (I know I'm lucky to even do that) afford to learn to drive, and just know what it's like to not have to check my bank account daily and count every penny.

However I know this is the reality for most people. Maybe I can go back to teaching and try to make it up to SLT, but school behaviour is horrendous these days which is why I left.

I'm just feeling a bit lost. I know I'm lucky to even have a job, but without sounding arrogant I considered myself as intelligent, I gained qualifications, can speak other languages and a lot of people my age are earning quite a bit more than me.
Just interested to hear anyone's stories and any advice on where to go from here.

Left education after Alevels. Had a place a Durham but met a bloke and wanted to earn money. Joined a bank on a fast track programme, hated it, left after 12 months. Took a job as a paralegal in a law firm and I still work for the same core firm. Had the chance to do a law degree but didn't. Segued from paralegal to compliance and risk to project management to EO, then into operations and now in IT Delivery, which feels the most natural to me. Only qualification I did besides A levels was Prince 2. Earn £80k. In my various roles I always worked close to the senior partner/CEO. It's my personal soft skills rather than technical knowledge that have helped me progress. I've always seemed to be a comfort blanket for my direct senior.

What skills and experience would that be? Thanks

More than a gp earns! What does an nhs manager do??

"Don't be afraid to apply for jobs where you tick only 70% of skills required & that take you out of your comfort zone."

This is so true in IT.

You get deluded managers writing guru level skill requirements and then advertising the role at £50k. It is usually the pay that signifies the complexity of the role / skill requirements. I'd always take the advertisements with a pinch of salt. Ask yourself what somebody with those skills would want to get paid. If it's £150k, they're not going to be applying for a £50k role.

Mid career academic, mid 40s, salary around £54k FTE (but I work part time). Lots I like about my job but it's not an easy career to enter or remain in - undergraduate, masters and PhD degrees generally required. And job security is often poor. I'm seriously considering leaving but anything else I've seen that I'm interested in and qualified for would be a substantial salary cut. I'm envious of those who seem to be able to move from one company to another, increasing salary each time - I think I'll have to take a step back to work up again in another sector.

Between ages 35 and 40 I’ve progressed to over 50k from around 30k by changing where I work (higher pay for similar role), worked up until my max salary. Meanwhile applied for a promotion twice and eventually getting a secondment where I could practice and get more pay. Then I applied for a permanent version of the seconded role and now my salary increases each year on a scale. When I hit the top I will start looking for more promotions (or if I see anything in meantime).

If you apply for other things within civil service you will get noticed and eventually hopefully something will stick. Find out a role you really like and ask the person in that role what training etc might be helpful if you’re interested to get into that field. Then ask for the training at your review meeting.

Have you tried looking at charities? A lot of education ones like Teach First employ ex teachers. A Head of Education, Head of Programmes role would be on £50k plus. Not saying that would do much for work/life balance or stress but they would be rewarding and give you the salary you seek

I wish it worked like that in most workplaces. Unfortunately, so often those who go above & beyond simply get exploited. They never get a promotion or decent extra pay as the managers seen them as nerds - just willing fools that are eager to take on more work or do their homework for them, and possible competition to themselves.

Try moving into a Commercial role then go out into industry.

I left teaching to work as an executive / team assistant in wealth / investment management. Low stress, lots of space to progress if you’re a bright woman, entry level pay if you pitch yourself right is 35-40k

I completely agree, and that has definitely happened to me over the years. This is where it’s time to bank all of those skills and examples of things you’ve worked on or delivered by stepping up, and use it to get a job elsewhere.

How about using your teaching exerience to become an Higher ed lecturer training other teachers eg here (not sure of your location but you might be able to find similar elsewhere) https://www.derby.ac.uk/jobs/current-vacancies/lecturer-senior-lecturer-primary-secondary/?utm_campaign=google_jobs_apply&utm_source=google_jobs_apply&utm_medium=organic

Or other training roles eg https://www.totaljobs.com/job/early-years-trainer-skills-coach/pertemps-newcastle-gateshead-job104079322

The only roles i seem to see on indeed seem to be mainly care/support work and entry level/lower paid roles.

International Civil Service? I was on the equivalent of $140K at your age.

Mid 40s, senior IT Analyst on 75k. No degree or formal qualifications. Worked in Customer Service for years then around 5 years ago made the switch into an entry level IT role in my company. Career has sky rocketed since then, lots of opportunities in this field although my particular experience is quite niche with the systems we use.

You might be interested to get a coach. They would be able to help you make a plan for career progression if that's what you want.

I earn about 60k as a G7 following the faststream. It's open to existing civil servants so maybe worth a try?

that doesn’t really say it all though does it. They are taking 500 constantly because there is a target to get 5000 of those advisors in those particular roles due to a mandate set out by the government. Your comment is insinuating it’s due to a high turnover as opposed to the fact there is now more positions to fill. I know many people that have joined this role and love it. The CTU is micromanaged because you’re in training, they want to be all over your training because you are dealing with peoples real life financial affairs. Also you work for HMRC you know with high salary’s comes very high tax and it’s not that much better off at the end of the day with the added responsibilities and stress (the grass isn’t always greener). The benefits you mention are not to be taken lightly 27.8% pension contributions will make your salary a lot more appealing if it was in the private sector and the flexibility is what people would kill for. Additionally, you have job security and the civil service is great for promotions but as others have said you need to learn the frame work. No such thing as not having enough experience to apply in the civil service as the interviews are on frameworks! :)

Ha! No offence to OP but as an EO in HMRC, they’re not getting international posts anytime soon. Even if they apply for UN, WTO, OECD etc.

Tech

I’m on 80k & mid 30s. Negotiated hard when I moved jobs & actively chose a well-paying industry that is traditionally male-dominated and look for more women to join, so hard that to my advantage.

Also the TSP for HMRC is basically the fast stream, G7 in 3 years. The next year application will open soon keep an eye OP!

Just in case you haven’t already, try LinkedIn jobs search

I’m a teacher and have the same qualifications as you. I’m 47 and on UPS3 so top of teacher payscale. I have a small bursary for an additional role in school that I enjoy. This takes my salary to £51K.
I tried SLT and it wasn’t for me.
You could earn more with your degree but you’d have to be in a school.

£40k-£75k with no real skills requirement

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